INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS
We are a leading London girls’ school that combines British academic tradition with a warm, globally minded outlook.
Part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, Sydenham High offers almost 140 years of expertise in girls’ education. Families joining from overseas benefit from both the heritage of a respected UK educational group and the individual care of a close-knit school community. Nestled in leafy south London, bordering Dulwich and Crystal Palace, Sydenham Hill is an affluent area with a diverse community.
Our school prepares pupils for GCSEs and A Levels, with strong outcomes and support for entry to leading UK universities. Teaching emphasises critical thinking, discussion, and independent learning – skills highly valued worldwide.
We are known for our welcoming and inclusive environment. International students are fully integrated into school life, within a friendly and supportive atmosphere, which helps girls settle quickly and build confidence in a new country.
Moving countries can be a big transition. We have award-winning pastoral care and place strong emphasis on wellbeing, mentoring and individual attention, so each pupil feels known and supported.
Situated in south-east London, we offer a leafy, residential setting while still providing access to the cultural and academic opportunities of central London. There are many opportunities to use our well-connected location for educational visits as well as residential trips to Europe and further afield destinations.
We are pioneering in education for girls that prepares for global futures. Beyond exams, we focuses on developing articulate, resilient young women ready to thrive at universities and careers internationally.
Applying to our Senior School
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1 —Make an enquiry
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2 —Visit us
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3 —Apply online
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4 —Assessments
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5 —Offers
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6 —Acceptance deadline
Make an enquiry
We use an Admissions software called Applicaa, which is where you will need to complete a form to enquire about visiting our school and, ultimately where you apply for a place.
Make an enquiry
Visit us
We have a range of opportunities to explore our school, from our Whole School Saturday Open Morning, to ‘School in Action’ mornings where you see us on a normal day, Discovery & Exploration Sessions where your daughter can try out what it’s like to be at our school, as well as personal tours.
Visit us
Apply online
Once you decide that our school is the one for your daughter, you need to complete the application form that you started when making your initial enquiry. A £240 fee is payable for international pupils to apply for a place. International applicants may apply at any point of the year, providing there are spaces within the year group.
For chance vacancies, please email us and if there is a place available we will advise you when to apply.
Apply online
Assessments
Assessments for 11+ (Year 7 entry)
11+ applicants will be invited to an Assessment Day. They will be assessed on their ability in Mathematics, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Sample papers are available for Maths and English.
We will also interview every applicant, which is our chance to get to know a little more about your daughter. We will ask your daughter to speak about something she is proud of and would like to talk about. Interviews last around 15 minutes.
In addition, we request a reference from all candidates’ current schools.
Assessments for other year groups or interim Year 7
Your daughter will be assessed differently according to the year she is applying for:
Years 7-9 – online Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning & Non Verbal Reasoning plus creative writing
Year 10 – online Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning & Non Verbal Reasoning plus creative writing and a Science paper. Recent reports will be requested, and GCSE subject options considered
She will also be interviewed.
Assessments
Offers
We send our offers out following all assessments. For chance vacancies, the offers will usually be sent the week after the assessments are completed.
Offers
Acceptance deadline
Places must be accepted via Applicaa, and deposits of a term’s fees paid by the date stated in the offer letter.
Acceptance deadline
